New York: A 60-year-old's guide to skip the tunnels and find the magic

New York is a bucket-list destination for many, but the thought of navigating it alone can be intimidating. I have visited New York a few times, but this was my first heading there on my own and my first visit since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Landing at JFK, I'd braced myself for a world of confusion, but I found the opposite. With a little patience and the right tech, I discovered you don't just have to "survive" the Big Apple, you can truly own it.

I was there to visit my daughter, who now calls New York home. Because she has a demanding job with long hours, I knew most of my time would be spent on my own.

I decided to take this as an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and do things I wouldn't normally do.

One of those was figuring out how to get around without the stress of the "subway".

I had been told of incidents where people had slid their butt cheeks up and down on the train carriage pole and peed where you probably shouldn't.

Despite my resistance, I did use the subway, but had been given a stern warning not to touch anything.

You are faced with a dizzying choice of "Uptown" or "Downtown" on every conceivable letter of the alphabet. While I surprised myself by managing to reach my destinations when necessary, I quickly discovered a better, more scenic secret.

Staying on the East River near Williamsburg, I found a fantastic ferry service connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens - and value for money too. It was also a little more mobility friendly than the subway which in many cases only have stairs.

For USD$4.50 for a single ride, I traded dark tunnels for fabulous skyline views.

The NYC Ferry app made it easy to buy tickets on the go, and each ticket allows for a 120-minute transfer window.

It is a fantastic, cheap way to see the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the waterfront areas. My favorite starting point to explore the city was the Wall Street stop.

From there, it's just a short walk to the free Staten Island Ferry, while this is no standard ferry it can hold 4,500 passengers.

The view of the Statue of Liberty is perfect, She is definitely some lady and there is something special about seeing her. If you are on a quick trip this is definitely the way to go or day trips are available at a cost if you would like a more detailed visit.

Pro tip: Sit on the right-hand side on the outbound trip for the best close-up views of the Statue of Liberty.

I enjoy walking, and the Financial District is a great place to explore on foot.

When I asked a local guide if I was headed in the right direction to the 9/11 Memorial, almost like a reflex action he suggested the subway.

I gave a firm "No, no, no!" and chose to walk instead. Having no time restrictions meant the day was my own, a true perk of solo travel.

The memorial itself was very moving. I was particularly fascinated by the "Survivor Tree."

Found in the rubble of the 2001 attacks, burned and broken, it was nursed back to health and returned to the Memorial in 2010. Seeing it thriving today is a beautiful reminder of resilience.

My solo adventures took me from ground zero to the futuristic Oculus featuring immense white steel ribs and a central skylight creating a powerful visual experience.

Oculus is the centrepiece of the Westfield World Trad Centre - a shopping mall housing over 100 retail outlets.

This was in complete juxtaposition to the surrounding historic stone buildings of the nearby Financial District.

From modern architecture to ancient superstition is the Wall Street Charging Bull. This bronze behemoth is an icon of financial optimism, where a long line of tourists wait for a chance to rub its horns and nose for luck and most famously its testicles for good fortune and prosperity.

A new day and so much more for me to see. Bracing myself for the subway I headed to the Hudson Yards area as it was a great starting point for several touristy places.

Paying for your ticket is easy. You simply tap your credit or debit card when you enter a station. Metro cards are not needed unless you don't have a personal card.

There are so many places to go where you can see wonderful views of New York and this trip I headed for the dizzying heights of The Edge.

It's famous for its triangular glass floor, it lets you look a thrilling 100 stories straight down or you can scan the horizon to see the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty all in one breathtaking 360-degree sweep.

The High Line is an abandoned freight rail line originally built in the 1930s.

It became obsolete and was abandoned for decades before being transformed by volunteers as an elevated public park and stretches for 2.3 km's.

The old tracks offer unique city views from a green space above the streets and is completely flat.

It takes about 30- 60 mins depending on your pace or if you take detours for a bite to eat and drink along the way.

Chelsea Market is at the historic former Nabisco factory where Oreos were invented, is adjacent to the High Line and can be reached by an exit along the High Line path.

This is an indoor food hall, and shopping centre in the Meatpacking District. It has an industrial feeling with exposed brick, a nod to its past and quite beautiful.

Perfect for a solo lunch and you have the bonus of people watching while you are at it.

Little Island also a fascinating optional detour alongside the High Line, is a unique 2.4-acre public park built on stilts above the Hudson River.

Featuring winding paths, diverse plantings, and stages for performance, it is an old pier turned into an escape from the city.

An idea conceived by philanthropist Barry Diller who wanted to have more usable public green spaces for New York residents. A great place to stop and recharge if needed.

After surviving the subway and an evening recharging I was off to the Met Museum. This place is huge.

I spent hours looking through all the exhibits.

The collections are immense from Egyptian artefacts, suits of armor in all shapes and sizes, beautiful paintings, sculptures, preserved stained glass from original New York buildings and much more.

Central Park is a true green oasis that offers a refreshing escape from the city's concrete jungle.

This vast landscape provides endless ways to explore, whether you choose to hire a bike, take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, or row a boat across the lake.

From the incredible acoustics of Bethesda Terrace, where you'll often find talented buskers, to the poignant Strawberry Fields Memorial dedicated to John Lennon, the park reveals something new at every turn.

It is a place where you can do as much or as little as you like, and as I discovered, it's impossible to see everything this iconic park has to offer in just one visit.

My daughter had organised an amazing surprise visit to the iconic Tiffany & Co. "Blue Box Cafe" on Fifth Avenue for a glamorous high tea (I did feel a bit posh!)

Every detail, from the robin's-egg blue walls to the delicate porcelain, is a tribute to timeless luxury.

Elegance and grace never go out of fashion and some days require a little more sparkle and a lot more Tiffany blue.

However, not every moment felt glossy. While visiting the iconic Tiffany & Co. I noticed the heavy security cordons and bollards around the neighboring Trump Tower.

The presence of guards and restricted areas was the only time I felt a bit of uncertainty in this vibrant city.

It's a reminder to stay aware of your surroundings, even in the most famous postcodes.

New York is renowned for entertainment, and I leaned into it.

Broadway is a buzz of activity and if you are worried about being there late at night, matinees can be a secret weapon.

I snagged discount tickets to see Six the Musical, a high energy modern take on Henry VIII's wives.

The beauty of theatre is the moment the lights go down you aren't a solo traveller anymore you are just part of the audience like everyone else.

With so many shows on offer last minute there is something to suit all tastes. A matinee is perfect to come outside and stroll home in the daylight hours.

The Magician was a mind-blowing magic show. Dan White is a skilled magician, mentalist and incredibly clever with cards.

The tickets were purchased well in advance as it is a small intimate audience and well worth being organised for.

Having never been sure about magic this night was unforgettable!

I can't say too much without spoiling the show but one card trick in particular involved audience participation and leaves you scratching your head in amazement.

His mind-reading illusions were simply extraordinary. I have a new opinion of magic - it is so cool!

I even braved a basement-style comedy club, The Gotham Comedy Club, where a surprise appearance by Jim Gaffigan had the audience in stitches.

The club is famously known as one of Jerry Seinfeld's favourite venues. It has a basement-style feel with an intimate audience, a little squashed but really not a bad seat in the house.

While it felt daunting at times, I had a fabulous week.

New York has changed since my last visit in 2019, but its energy remains unmatched.

If you are traveling solo, just remember: take it at your own pace, stay above ground whenever you can, lean into the freedom of your own company and you won't just visit the city...you will own it!